Tag: Family Business
From Growing Pains to Profit With Ron Nagy (Ep. 38)

From Growing Pains to Profit With Ron Nagy (Ep. 38)

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Have you ever wondered what it takes to scale a family business into a multi-location, multi-million dollar empire?

In the latest installment of the Finish Big Podcast, Mark Dorman talks with Ron Nagy, a successful second-generation business owner, about his journey of transforming a single-location body shop into a multi-location thriving enterprise, the challenges faced along the way, and the strategic decisions that led to their successful growth and eventual sale.

Ron discusses: 

  • How Nagy’s Auto Collision came to be and how it evolved over time
  • The challenges faced during the business’s expansion phase 
  • Market shifts and exit planning
  • Post-exit ventures
  • And more!

Resources:

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Connect with Ron Nagy:

About Our Guest: 

Ron Nagy is a second-generation business owner. Ron served as the President of Nagy’s Collision Center before selling the business to Caliber Collision in 2019. Ron grew up in Doylestown, Ohio. He graduated from Chippewa High School in the Automotive Management Institute and has since won numerous chamber awards and industry awards. He has sat on many nonprofit boards and an industry advisory board. Ron is an active member in his church and in his spare time, helps his wife at their horse farm.

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Crafting Success Through Navigating Governance Challenges With Mike Catan (Ep. 33)

Crafting Success Through Navigating Governance Challenges With Mike Catan (Ep. 33)

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If you’re a business owner wrestling with the idea of passing the torch or expanding your family’s business footprint, take heart—you’re in good company.

In the latest edition of the Finish Big Podcast Mark Dorman talks with Mike Catan, the former CEO who propelled Pat Catan’s and Darice Incorporated from a humble family craft store to an impressive empire with 35 retail outlets and a comprehensive wholesale distribution network. Through Mike’s narrative, this episode explores the tactical execution of professional governance and the indispensable contributions of external advisors, equipping listeners with practical advice on future-proofing their business, promoting enduring success, and providing strategies for a successful exit. 

Mike Catan discusses: 

  • The early days and expansion of Pat Catan’s
  • Strategic decisions that led to the establishment of Darice Incorporated
  • Balancing family relationships while driving business expansion
  • The importance of professional management and strategic decision-making and having a strong governance structure in place
  • Having a well-defined exit strategy and preparedness for long-term planning
  • And more

 

Resources:

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Connect with Mike Catan:

 

About our Guest: 

Mike Catan is the former CEO of Pat Catan’s and Darice Incorporated. Mike has been passionate about supporting not only his community but achievement centers for children for many years with a particular affinity for camp cheerful. Mike’s interests outside of business include his restaurant Square 22 in Strongsville, as well as multiple commercial and residential development projects under the umbrella of the Cameron Alley Group.

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Tanya DiSalvo’s Journey in Manufacturing and Leadership (Ep. 27)

Tanya DiSalvo’s Journey in Manufacturing and Leadership (Ep. 27)

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Ever wondered how a family business navigates leadership transitions? 

In this episode, Mark Dorman speaks with Tanya DiSalvo, CEO of Criterion Tool, on the history of Criterion Tool, a family business focused on precision manufacturing started by her grandfather, and her own unexpected journey into the manufacturing industry. She shares how the business transitioned from her father to her, why it took several years, and the evolution the business has achieved since it was first established.

Tanya discusses: 

  • What precision manufacturing is and what her company produces
  • How her family business started
  • Why she chose to join the family business after initially heading in a different direction
  • The growth of women within the manufacturing industry
  • And more

 

Resources:

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About our Guest: 

Tanya DiSalvo has been a CEO and Owner at Criterion Tool for over 25 years, as well as working as a Performance Coach at Full Focus since 2020. As an experienced leader in the manufacturing sector, Tanya was a 2014 STEP Aware Honoree for being among the outstanding women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and production.

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More Than Just A Carpenter – Building A Great Family Business with Nate Sublett, President/Owner of Benchmark Craftsmen, Inc. (Ep. 18)

More Than Just A Carpenter – Building A Great Family Business with Nate Sublett, President/Owner of Benchmark Craftsmen, Inc. (Ep. 18)

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Ever wonder how an entrepreneur can lead a company to growth, dodge the curveballs of a pandemic, and still find time to venture into boat manufacturing?

In this episode, Mark Dorman interviews Nate Sublett, the innovative President and Owner of Benchmark Craftsmen, diving into the complexities of successful business transitions and creative reinvention. Drawing from Nate’s first-hand experiences, they explore the journey of business succession and creating a legacy for future generations.

Mark and Nate discuss:

  • The successful transition of ownership at Cyclonics from Nate’s father to Nate and his partner
  • The remarkable growth and sale of Cyclonics to a venture capital group and Nate’s subsequent founding of Benchmark Craftsmen 
  • The resilience and adaptability of Benchmark Craftsmen during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a successful pivot to virtual platforms for trade shows
  • The diversification of Benchmark Craftsmen into building boats in collaboration with Lyman Boats
  • Nate’s vision for Benchmark Craftsmen as a legacy business for his children
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Nate Sublett:

Connect with Mark Dorman: 

About our Guest: 

Nate Sublett is the President and Owner of Benchmark Craftsmen. He is an accomplished entrepreneur with a remarkable knack for business transitions and reinventions. In 2002, Nate launched his own venture, Benchmark Craftsman. Starting with just four employees, the company rapidly grew to 65 by 2023. Beyond this, Nate led Benchmark to diversify into boat manufacturing, reviving the boat line of Lyman Boats and manufacturing high-end mahogany boats. His adaptability and resilience make Nate Sublett a standout figure in the world of entrepreneurship and business transitions.

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Trapped in the Family Business with Dr. Michael Klein (Ep. 7)

Trapped in the Family Business with Dr. Michael Klein (Ep. 7)

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Joining the family business can be an easy way to start a career. But is it the career you want? And how can you explore new opportunities within the singular business? 

In this episode, Mark Dorman speaks with Dr. Michael Klein, President of MK Insights and author of Trapped in the Family Business, on how multigenerational businesses trap family members with the expectation of joining the family business.

Dr. Michael unpacks: 

  • How do family members become trapped in the family business
  • What influence family members have on the next generation’s career path
  • Why previous generations need to take a step back from controlling the business
  • What current businesses are doing to provide future generations an opportunity for personal growth within and outside of the business
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Mark Dorman: 

Connect with Dr. Michael Klein:

About our Guest:

Dr. Michael Klein has been a workplace consultant and advisor to individuals and organizations for over 20 years. He has worked with privately and publicly held businesses in industries including pharmaceuticals, insurance, entertainment, banking, construction, logistics, education, forestry, retail, publishing, hospitality, manufacturing, and healthcare. 

Michael has held positions in Organizational Development, Human Resources, and served as a Director of Advisor Training & Development at MassMutual Financial Group. Dr. Klein published “Trapped in the Family Business,” to assist individual family members in understanding, managing and taking control of their professional and personal lives when other family members are involved. He also has created and managed development processes for executives, sales leaders and other professionals.

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